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The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Autism

Canada’s First Convention Center Certified for People on the Spectrum

January 31, 2023 by Debbie Austin

Officials with the Niagara Falls Convention Center said that having the center certified by KultureCity,  a non-profit organization that offers products and training to accommodate people with sensory needs, and not just those with autism, is part of the center’s commitment to make the facility more accessible and inclusive to everyone attending an event.

To receive this certification, the Niagara Falls team was trained by leading medical professionals to better recognize guests with sensory needs and how to handle sensory overload situations — enabling the center to offer an accommodating and positive experience for all visitors.

In addition to staff training, the building is now outfitted with dedicated quiet spaces and provides sensory bags that people can borrow during an event.

TravelAbility Insider Insight: Convention centers that host events for the local community, such as auto shows, Comic Con and others, can now receive a torrent of local media and a reputational boost at the same time. Additionally, with meeting planners now including accessibility in their RFP’s for venue selection, having a convention center certified for all types of disabilities can be a differentiator that can result in more business as well reputational boost through articles such as this. Read more.

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Filed Under: Autism, Conferences & Events, Hidden Disabilities, Neurodiversity

Dubai Airport Launches New Initiatives for People withHidden Disabilities

December 30, 2022 by Debbie Austin

Dubai Airport is introducing a comprehensive new program to ensure the delivery of a sector-leading, inclusive, and seamless travel experience for all People of Determination (POD) with hidden disabilities that travel through Dubai International (DXB).

As part of Dubai Airport’s shared values ‘We all meet the world differently’, this new initiative will contribute to the UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021 vision for Dubai to be the world’s leading disability-friendly city and barrier-free community empowering and welcoming all POD travelers. Read more.

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Filed Under: Airlines, Autism, Hidden Disabilities, Neurodiversity, Transportation, Travel

Avoiding a Meltdown at 30,000 Feet

December 30, 2022 by Debbie Austin

Flights can be stressful, intimidating, and, worst of all, downright exhausting. Despite this, aircraft as a transportation method is now just part of the modern, convenient travel experience, especially if you want to go long distances.

Airports themselves can be a minefield for those who are autistic. But thankfully, things have improved significantly over time (varies country by country). Airlines, too, are getting better all the time at providing support to disabled passengers. Here are some valuable airport and plane tips and strategies to help you plan and take your next trip. Read more.

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Filed Under: Accessibility, Airlines, Autism, Transportation, Travel

Taking in the Grandeur of the Grand Canyon with an Autistic Son

December 2, 2021 by John Morris

Group of people looking out over the Grand Canyon from a viewing platform.

Lisa Winner, a photographer, shared with National Geographic some of the challenges her son, who is autistic, faces when traveling. Despite her love of the outdoors, Lisa says that “There are many surprises in nature—and anyone who loves an autistic person knows surprises are not their jam.” She recounted the difficulty her son faced when visiting the Grand Canyon, where he was distressed by the unfamiliar environment.

Parents like Winner are encouraging governments and businesses to make outdoor recreation areas more accessible to those with autism. To learn more about Lisa’s family, their trip to the Grand Canyon and how public places can be made autism-friendly, see the article in National Geographic.

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Filed Under: Autism, Parks and Public spaces, Travel

Mike’s Mission: An Autistic Adult Wants to Deliver Uber Eats in all 50 States in 2022…Needs Our Support

September 23, 2021 by Jake Steinman

Below is a letter from Mike Di Mauro, who spoke at TravelAbility Summit about his goal to visit all 50 states while delivering for Uber Eats to support himself.

Hello! I would like to send this email to thank everyone for allowing me to attend the summit last week and speak about my mission. I am trying to make history with this road trip that I am trying to get done and I know that it will not be easy. I know that together, we can help each other out and get this done. If I am not the first person to get this done, I will try to be the first person with autism to get it done! I also had a wonderful time hearing your sessions as well. It was great to learn about what you had to offer as well. I am looking forward to working with you all! I am sorry that I was not at all of the sessions but I had to try to share my mission with the vendors at the Connect conference to see if they could help me out as well. I really enjoyed the chance to go to the block party on Monday night and had a photo with the Vince Lombardi trophy! I also had the chance to hear two great athletes speak (Jerry Rice and Simone Biles) and had my photo taken with both of them. Interesting fact about the one with Simone Biles: after the presentation was over, I rushed over to the backstage area and out the door and as I was there, Simone was walking with a few people escorting her. I told her that I had autism and that I am a mental health advocate. I gave her my business card and then we had our photo together. Then I thanked her for what she has done at the Olympics and for the mental health community. I also asked her to please keep in touch with me! I feel that if we worked together then we could spread awareness for mental health in the world!

The link to join his Facebook group is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mikedsmission/

He can be reached by e-mail at: mikedemauro@aol.com

His GoFundMe page is: https://gofund.me/af457445

Note: Mike also attended the presentations at Connect Marketplace, an event co-located with TravelAbility. Below you’ll find him with Super Bowl winner Jerry Rice and Olympic Gold Medalist Simone Biles.

  • Mike with Jerry Rice.
  • Mike with Simon Biles.

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Filed Under: Autism

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